Emergency electrician in Lithia, FL
Sparking outlets, a burning smell, or the power going out with no clear cause. We answer 24 hours a day for real electrical emergencies in Lithia and the surrounding area, and we'll walk you through what to do safely while help is on the way.
See visible flames or heavy smoke? Call 911 first.
Get everyone out of the house immediately and call 911 before calling anyone else. Once you and your family are safe outside, then call us so we can assess the electrical system once the fire department clears the scene.
What actually counts as an electrical emergency
Some electrical problems genuinely can't wait. Here's what we treat as urgent, day or night.
Burning smell or smoke
An acrid, plastic-like odor near an outlet, switch, or your panel means something is overheating right now.
Persistent sparking or arcing
A brief spark when plugging something in can be normal. Continuous sparking or popping sounds is not.
Hot outlets or switches
Warmth at an outlet or switch plate, or visible scorch marks, means it has already been running dangerously hot.
A sudden total power outage
If neighbors still have power and your utility confirms your service is live, the fault is likely in your panel or wiring.
A shock from an appliance or fixture
Even a mild tingle when touching something plugged in is a real warning sign, not something to shrug off.
Exposed or damaged wiring
Any bare or visibly damaged wire, no matter how small it looks, is treated as an emergency.
How to stay safe until we arrive
If you're in the middle of an electrical emergency right now and it isn't a 911-level fire, here's what to do.
Shut off the circuit
If you can do so safely, switch off the affected circuit, or the main breaker, at your panel without touching anything warm.
Clear the area
Move people and pets away from the affected outlet, panel, or exposed wiring. Don't touch anything that has sparked or shocked you.
Never use water
Water conducts electricity and makes an electrical problem worse, not better. Keep any liquids well away from the area.
Call us
Tell us what you're seeing and smelling so we can prioritize your call correctly and bring the right equipment.
Not every electrical issue is an emergency
A single outlet that's simply dead, a light bulb that burned out, or a breaker that tripped once because you ran too many appliances at once are all things that can typically wait for a normal appointment. Knowing the difference helps us prioritize true emergencies and get to them faster.
- One outlet not working, with no other symptoms, is usually not urgent
- A breaker that trips once from an obvious overload and resets normally is usually fine
- If you're ever unsure, call anyway. We'd rather help you figure out if it's urgent than have you guess wrong
See our electrical repair page for non-urgent issues you can schedule for a regular appointment.
Related electrical services
Common questions about electrical emergencies
How fast can you get to my home?+
Response time depends on your location and current call volume, but true emergencies, sparking, burning smells, or exposed wiring, are always prioritized over scheduled work. Call us and we'll give you a realistic time estimate right away.
Should I call 911 or an emergency electrician first?+
If you see visible flames or heavy smoke, call 911 first and get everyone out of the house. For electrical issues without active fire, like sparking outlets or a burning smell without visible flames, call us directly and we'll advise you on next steps.
Is it safe to turn off my own breaker during an emergency?+
Yes, if you can reach the panel safely without touching anything warm, wet, or damaged. Switching off the affected circuit, or the main breaker if needed, is one of the most useful things you can do while waiting for help.
What if my whole neighborhood has power but my house doesn't?+
This usually points to a problem specific to your home's panel, meter, or service line rather than a utility outage. Call your utility first to confirm your service is live, then call us if it is.
Do you charge extra for after-hours emergency calls?+
Emergency and after-hours rates typically differ from standard scheduled appointments. We'll always be upfront about pricing when you call, before any work begins.
I smell burning but can't find the source. What should I do?+
Don't go searching room to room trying to find it. If you can safely shut off power at the main breaker, do so, then call us. If the smell is strong or getting worse, leave the house and call from outside.
Electrical emergency right now?
Call us day or night. We'll help you stay safe and get someone to you as fast as we can. Prefer to reach out online for non-urgent matters? Visit our contact page.
Serving Lithia and nearby FishHawk, Riverview, and Brandon. See our full service area list or learn more about our team.